Julie Christie quits Eyeworks

Reality TV queen Julie Christie has resigned as boss of Eyeworks New Zealand and Australia, saying it's time for someone else to take over the role.

Christie, who founded the company in 1991 as Touchdown Productions, said she was leaving with a continued love for television but had a parting message to funders and broadcasters about the need for good quality Kiwi content in the "fast-changing television market''.

"The recent trend of caring so much more about 'carriage' - how content is distributed - rather than building an industry that produces great NZ content, means that our television is amidst very troubled times.''

She said The Block NZ was a good example of quality TV: "I have never seen a show in this country that so engaged children and families sitting at home watching TV together.''

Touchdown became New Zealand's largest producer of lifestyle, reality and entertainment programmes including This is Your Life, Changing Rooms, My House My Castle, DIY Rescue, The Money Game, Treasure Island and Game of Two Halves.

The company sold formats to overseas companies and became part of the Eyeworks Group in 2006, with Ms Christie remaining chief executive.

The next boss of the New Zealand arm of the company would be announced in the next few weeks, she said. John McAvoy will take sole charge in Australia.